Strategic risk-taking was a key theme at the ITT Future You Summit as it returned to WTM to offer inspiration and advice on a career in travel.
Angela Riseam-Smith, Head of Learning and Development at Hays Travel, outlined the independent travel agency chain’s various apprenticeships and management programmes, covering in-branch sales to head office opportunities in marketing, finance and HR.
She also imparted advice from Hays’ Chief Operating Officer Jonathon Woodall-Johnston and its Head of Retail Paula Barrett, who started with the company as trainees. Both said: “never be afraid to take risks”, while Riseam-Smith’s own was to advice “never stop learning.”
Members of the TTG 30 Under 30 Tomorrow’s Travel Leaders programme then shared their experiences. Several of the panel had taken a chance at the start of their careers.
India Barker began with Blue Bay Travel just 48 hours after returning from an extended stay in Sri Lanka and used enthusiasm to substitute her lack of experience. She is now Sales Team Leader.
Julia Ross, a half-Italian language graduate had imagined herself working for a luxury Italian tour operator but encouraged by a friend, ended up at Central and South America specialist Latin Routes where she rose to Business Development Executive.
Amaan Shakir, now Partnerships Executive at Avis Budget Group, took an entry level job at the company, despite having work experience behind him, to get a foot in the door in travel.
Ross said: “My friend was right, take a risk and get out of your comfort zone.” Shakir, who was able to prove his talents and be fast-tracked advised: “don’t be afraid to step back to move forwards.”
The session also heard from Emily Edwards, Travel and Hotel Tech Expert and Coach, who advised new entrants to travel: “Find out more about the people you meet… it’s about human connection and collaboration… Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate!” And she reassured them: “You will get help in this industry; that’s the kind of industry it is.”
On the subject of AI’s threat to jobs, her optimistic take was: “Our industry is really people-focused and people want to deal with humans not robots.”
ITT had its own news to share. Besides celebrating its 70th anniversary with new branding, it has launched Career Compass, a library of downloadable resources including short video case studies. On going collaborations are supporting LGBT+ entrants to travel and giving its members experience using AI. It also revealed its next conference will be in Bahrain.
Further careers support comes from the new Travel Massive Careers and Learning Network, an online resource which the global community has launched with ITT Future You as a partner. Meanwhile, trade publication Travel Weekly used the summit to unveil its Careers Guide comprising online articles, advice and Tik Tok tips developed in partnership with ABTA.
